Local Leads: 7/19/10

News you need to know.

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

The following stories have been hand-selected by the Assignment Desk at News4:

EXPLOSIVE TIMES AT THE TORPEDO FACTORYAnn Buchal isn’t an artist for the money. Taking a break to chat about the future of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, she looked out across the gallery full of merchandise in her third-floor studio. When asked about business, Buchal said her artwork was too funky and kitschy to pull in the big bucks. "As you can see from looking around here, not many people are going to buy the stuff that’s in this room," said Buchal, waving her hand across a variety of colorful paintings and fiber sculptures. "If the city changes this all into offices on the top floor and flea markets downstairs, they’d be getting a lot more tax revenue." (Alexandria Gazette Packet)

NO TESTS ON TWO MUSLIM HOLIDAYS No tests will be scheduled in the county's public schools on two Muslim holidays this year: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Local Muslim leaders have been requesting the change for two years, arguing that students who practice Islam and are granted excused absences on those days shouldn't have to miss exams. (The Capital)

REPORTER SUING MARRIOTTESPN reporter Erin Andrews filed a civil lawsuit against Bethesda-based Marriott International Inc. and the owners of several hotels, alleging negligence and invasion of privacy in connection with Michael David Barrett, who was convicted of secretly videotaping her in hotel rooms. Barrett, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison for posting nude videos of Andrews on the Internet, is also named in the lawsuit. (Washington Business Journal)

MARYLAND MAY LIFT BAN ON FEMALE CRAB HARVEST
After two years of heavy restrictions on crabbing throughout the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland officials are considering eliminating one restriction watermen say is particularly harmful to their livelihoods. The state may lift the ban on harvesting female crabs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 4 this year, said Brenda Davis, blue crab program manager for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The decision will be made by the department secretary and may come within the next few weeks. (wtop.com)